Kiana Johnson, executive director of the O'Brien County Economic Development Corporation, recently received certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).

EDFP certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC's intensive economic development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of economic development with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, and the creation and implementation of development programs.

Each of the four EDFP Certification Program courses is five days in length and concludes with an exam. Upon successful completion of all four courses, the candidate is awarded EDFP Certification.

Johnson has served as executive director of OCEDC since May of 2005. She has a background in accounting, having earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista University in 2001. In her current position, Johnson's focus has been on providing gap financing to O'Brien County businesses as well as growing the county's agriculture and tourism sectors. She has also been instrumental in growing the county Revolving Loan Fund to its current status of just over $2.2 million.

NDC directs capital to support the preservation and creation of affordable housing, the creation of jobs through training and small business lending, and the promotion of livable communities through investment in social infrastructure. NDC has provided training to over 70,000 professionals working in the fields of economic and housing development.